Page 16 of Mr. Flirt

I stared at the smirking man in front of me as his words hit me like a ton of bricks. What I didn’t like about this entire conversation was that I knew the answer to his question.

Shep’s smirk only grew, and I had to admit it was kind of cute.

And he was kind of right.

I had a terrible habit of bathing my dates in nonstop questions, turning rigid when things got romantic and ending things if they did.

“I’m guessing the answer is…” He nodded slowly, keeping his eyes on mine.

A supercharged rush of hormones sizzled through my veins as his beautiful blues stayed locked on me. I sat still, hoping the sensation would leave as quickly as it came, but then his smirk turned to a sweet smile.

Just like the first night I’d met him.

Shep seemed so genuine and caring.

And that was how so many women got tricked on their way to divorce court.

I’d told myself over the last few months that the chemistry I’d felt with the cocky, lying stranger was all made up. I’d fooled myself into believing that he wasn’t as sexy or funny as I’d remembered.

And now, there was no denying it.

He was all that and a bag of pickle chips.

“You’re an interesting woman, Lucy.” Shep sat back, letting his gaze fall to the table. “And I’ll be honest. I don’t know if this is a pity date, an experiment of some sort, or just something to fill your afternoon.”

I had plenty to fill my day, judging by the stack of papers on my desk back at the firm. Most Saturdays, I spent my morning and most of my afternoon slogging through everything I didn’t get through during the week, but today, I wanted to be different.

I just didn’t expect to find a man who looked like God’s gift to the world to have the moxie to trick me twice.

Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t exactly a toad, but I definitely felt I had some amphibian about me. My feet were bigger than most of my dates’ appendages, my fingers longer and wider than an average bratwurst, thanks to my dad, and I rarely had time to put on an ounce of makeup.

Yes, I fully understood that women were enticing inour naturalstate. I get it. I went to law school and surrounded myself with intelligent men and women alike, and looks didn’t matter, but I always tended to feel better about myself if I at least dabbed some mascara onto my already sparse lashes, which were a genetic gift from my mom.

And now I was sitting across from a man who enjoyed tricking women.

I brought my gaze back to Shep. “I don’t have a lack of things to do, and I get paid well to do them, so I’m here because I want to be. Or I thought I wanted to be. Until I realized I’d been tricked again.”

Shep smiled as a spark darted through his gaze. “You want to be here with me or that guy behind the counter?”

I followed Shep’s gaze and snorted when I saw Thorn give a wave in our direction. “I don’t think my best friend would be thrilled if I dated her uncle.”

Surprise darted across Shep’s features. “How old is your best friend? Twelve?”

Shep had a point. Danielle’s uncle did look young for his age, but he’d owned this place for nearly twenty years. It was how I’d met her.

I smiled and shook my head. “The whole family ages well.”

“Wait. Is this the friend who just gave birth? Danni?”

I nodded. “We met here when I was in law school, and she was pining over her soon-to-be ex-dirtbag.”

Shep wiggled his finger. “Remember…”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Right. Must not talk ill of the dirtbag in front of the child, but she’s not here.”

“I don’t condone it. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing worse than seeing that kind of devastation, an entire family imploding based on a guy’s lousy choices. I just feel so bad for their kid.”

There was something so genuine about Shep’s words. It made me wonder if he’d experienced the same growing up.

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